CHIAKI KATAOKA

[Purpose] This study aims to evaluate a specific health guidance program focusing on individuals’ ‘strengths’ to consider effective programs in A City. [Methods] The researchers created, implemented, and evaluated a specific health guidance program that focuses on individuals’ ‘strengths.’ The program involved five sessions targeting groups with the following overall aims: (1) Enhance interest in own body, (2) Provide opportunities to reflect on oneself through discussions with others, (3) Find ways to take care of own body, (4) Discover own goals, (5) Focus on own strengths, and (6) Build connections for health promotion. Specific goals were also set for each session. An anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted to evaluate the achievement of the aims and goals. [Results] A total of 194 people (103 males, 91 females) participated in the study. Analysis showed that the aims of the program and the goals for each session were largely achieved. However, the sixth goal, building connections for health promotion, was not fully achieved. In the first session, female participants had higher scores than males in the understanding of health check-up results. In the second session, which focused on dietary themes, females increased their interest in their bodies more than males did. When comparing the full and partially participating groups, the two groups showed no significant differences in age, gender, or participation category, and no significant correlation in the goal achievement levels. [Conclusion] The participants may have addressed their bodies without anxiety by focusing on their desired lifestyles and strengths. Building connections needs a strategy that allows people to feel a sense of connection by stimulating affection for the community and utilizing existing networks and ICT.